Michael Holt took full advantage of Ronnie O'Sullivan's decision to skip the Championship League by winning Group 1 in Leicester after replacing the seven-time world champion at the season's first ranking event. Holt failed to regain his tour card at Q School last month after losing his place on the main circuit a year ago, but showed he still has the class to mix it with the elite by defeating Alfie Burden 3-0 in their group decider to progress on frames won.